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Abzena wins $5m-plus deal with US biotech client

Broadening its range of services into the United States has begun paying handsome dividends for Cambridge UK biotech business Abzena.

The AIM-quoted company has clinched a deal worth more than $5 million with a US biotechnology client to accelerate a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) towards clinical trials.

Abzena will provide process development and manufacturing services to the undisclosed customer, which is a long-term client. CEO John Burt revealed: “Since the expansion of Abzena’s service offering into the US with two acquisitions in 2015 we have seen a number of customer relationships expand. They are using more of our services across the group’s biology, chemistry and manufacturing capabilities.

“This latest deal further consolidates our existing relationship with our customer. Drawing on Abzena’s integrated service offering, this ADC can progress through the preclinical and clinical trial process with the ultimate goal of developing a new potential treatment.”

Burt said the value of the entire process development and GMP manufacturing services exceeds $5m, with the majority of the services to be provided within the next 12 months. They will be carried out principally by Abzena’s chemistry and biomanufacturing groups in Bristol, PA and San Diego, CA. Abzena has worked with the client for a number of years, in a relationship built around Abzena’s chemistry services.

Following the initial chemistry development, Abzena subsequently developed a cell line that will now be used to produce the antibody at its GMP manufacturing facility.

Abzena will also conduct GMP production of the ADC payload reagent and the conjugation process to create the ADC for initial clinical study.